How Do Florida Helmet Laws Differ from Other States?

In order to take a look at current Florida helmet laws, it is beneficial to take a look back at the past. The federal government started requiring states to pass universal motorcycle helmet laws in 1967. By 1975, all states in this nation, except for three states, enacted mandatory motorcycle helmet laws. However, many states started to rebel. By 1978, eight states repealed their helmet laws and 20 states lowered their helmet laws to only apply to riders 18 and younger.

By 1991, Congress created incentives for states to adopt mandatory helmet laws covering all riders. Then four years later, Congress lifted the federal sanctions for those states that had no helmet law. This act essentially allowed legislatures to repeal helmet laws, leading to the current helmet law differences between states:

19 states and the District of Columbia require all motorcyclists to wear helmets

28 states have some helmet laws, mainly for riders younger than 18

3 states (Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire) have no motorcycle helmet requirements

Florida is one of the states in this nation that has some motorcycle helmet requirements that include:

Anyone under 16 cannot operate or ride on a moped without a helmet

Anyone under 21 cannot operate or ride on a motorcycle without a helmet

Anyone 21 and older can operate a motorcycle without wearing a helmet so long as the rider has $10,000 in medical insurance coverage

Helmet or no helmet, riders often suffer injuries in Florida motorcycle accidents caused by other drivers’ negligence. If you have been harmed or if your loved one has been killed in a motorcycle crash, please call the Sarasota accident attorneys at the Mallard Law Firm. Contact us today at 888-409-3805 for a complimentary consultation of your case.